N.C. State's A.D. Thrilled By Team's Successes

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RALEIGH, N.C. — N.C. State comes into this year's ACC tournament more relaxed and confident than they have been in years. It looks like the Wolfpack's chances of getting into the NCAA tournament are very good and that has taken some of the pressure off.

No one is happier than N.C. State athletic director Lee Fowler.

"This is a different year. It's a good feeling to be in this position," Fowler said.

Fowler is talking about the good chance N.C. State has of being in the NCAA tournament after the ACC tournament.

"The No. 1 thing that will ever happen to me in sports is if this team makes it to the NCAA [tournament] because we've worked hard at it," Fowler said. "Herb and I have become really close, and this couldn't happen to a better guy. No one deserves it more than Herb Sendek."

Fowler is more than just an interested athletic director. Fowler is also the chairman of the NCAA tournament. His job duties include which teams get in, who plays who and where they play.

"Our main job is to get the best 34 teams in, the others get in because they win in conference championships, but it's fun," Fowler said. "If you're a basketball junkie, it's kind of neat to sit in there and go through the process."

However, if the subject of N.C. State comes up in conversation among the 13-member committee, Fowler cannot provide any input.

"I can't talk about N.C. State. I can answer a direct question, but during the process of going over N.C. State, I have to leave the room," he said.